Baylor University Online DNP Programs – NP & Nurse-Midwifery Tracks
- BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Nurse-Midwifery
- BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner
Through the Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University, BSN-prepared nurses can earn their doctor of nursing practice (DNP) with several nurse practitioner (NP) specializations and a nurse-midwifery track.
The specializations offered include: family nurse practitioner (FNP), neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP), pediatric primary care nurse practitioner (PNP-PC), dual pediatric primary/acute care nurse practitioner (PNP-PC/AC), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), and nurse-midwifery (NM).
The DNP program offers fully online coursework with local clinicals in approved states. BSN-prepared nurses can complete the single track DNP program in three years and four months and the dual PNP-PC/AC track in four years. Start dates land three times per year and two to three campus visits are required, depending on the track chosen.
Baylor University is a Christian institution and follows the motto: Learn. Lead. Serve.® The university and School of Nursing are committed to servant leadership and preparing nurses spiritually, academically, and personally to serve globally or in communities with underserved populations.
As part of the DNP program, students complete practicum and residency hours at approved sites, supervised by a clinical preceptor. Baylor University offers clinical placement services to help this process move forward more smoothly. Students may also complete a DNP project toward the end of their program.
Graduates of the Baylor online DNP programs are eligible to take their respective certification exams from the following organizations:
American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
- Certified Midwife (CM) or Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Family Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (FNP-BC)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (AGACNP-BC)
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (PPCNP-BC)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (PMHNP-BC)
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
- FNP Certification
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (ACNPC-AG)
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB)
- PNP-PC Certification – Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) and Primary Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-PC)
- PNP-AC Certification – Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC)
National Certification Corporation (NCC)
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner – Board Certified (NNP-BC)
Graduates of family NP and pediatric primary care NP programs may go on to DNP leadership positions in clinics, clinic systems, hospitals, OB/GYN clinics, mother and baby units, schools, and government organizations. Graduates of acute care programs usually work with patients with critical illness and chronic conditions. PMHNPs work in a variety of settings including clinics, private practices, psychiatric facilities, schools, residential substance abuse facilities, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and nursing homes, amongst others.
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) typically work in mother and baby units, labor and delivery departments, OB/GYN clinics, and birthing centers. Neonatal nurse practitioners usually work with critically ill and premature infants and their families in NICUs, labor and delivery departments, and clinics.
Notably, the DNP-PNP program offers two online options. These include a primary care track or a dual primary/acute care track.
Baylor University also offers a post-graduate DNP program for MSN-prepared nurse practitioners who wish to earn a DNP with a second NP specialization. The NP specializations the applicant must have earned include FNP, NNP, and NM.
Baylor University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The online DNP specializations are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The nurse-midwifery specialization is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas.
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What to Expect from the Baylor University Online DNP Programs
Admission Requirements: The BSN-to-DNP program requires proof of a BSN earned from a regionally accredited nursing school with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Application materials include proof of an unrestricted RN license, a written statement, three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts. No GMAT or GRE is required.
Applicants to the FNP, PNP, AGACNP, NNP, and PMHNP specializations must have at least one year of full-time professional nursing experience by the first day of classes. PMHNP applicants must have at least one year of full-time mental health registered nursing experience.
Applicants to the NNP specialization must have at least one year of full-time neonatal clinical work experience in a Level 3 NICU within the past five years, including experience caring for critically ill neonates or infants in inpatient settings. This work experience must be completed before beginning the clinical portion of the program.
Those interested in the nurse-midwifery specialization must have at least one year of full-time nursing experience as a labor and delivery nurse in an outpatient OB/GYN clinical setting or a mother-baby unit.
The MSN-to-DNP program requires proof of a BSN or MSN earned from a regionally accredited nursing school with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
State Restrictions: Baylor University accepts students into the DNP nurse-midwifery program from the following states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, and West Virginia.
For all other online DNP NP programs (FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, NNP, and PNP), Baylor accepts students from the following common set of states: Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
In addition to the common set above, some NP programs accept a few extra states:
- Maryland is accepted for FNP, NNP, and PNP.
- Massachusetts is accepted for FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, and NNP.
- North Carolina is accepted for FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, and PNP.
- Utah is accepted for FNP, NNP, and PNP.
Students outside of Texas should inquire with the Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University and their state Board of Nursing to verify licensure requirements and out-of-state distance learning eligibility.
Study Plan: All DNP specialty advanced practice tracks have three starts a year, except for NM and NNP, which have two starts per year. The DNP NP and nurse-midwifery specializations take about three years and four months to complete. Students have up to eight years to complete the programs but typically stay with the same group of students throughout the programs. Clinicals are completed locally to the student, with clinical placement services available. The coursework is mostly online with on-campus immersions throughout the program. MSN holders typically complete the DNP program in 18 to 24 months. Courses are 15 weeks long, with two to three terms per year.
DNP Curriculum: Baylor’s online DNP programs combine rigorous didactic coursework with extensive supervised practicum experiences, with requirements varying by specialty and entry pathway. The nurse-midwifery, family nurse practitioner, and neonatal nurse practitioner tracks each require 1,125 practicum hours for BSN-entry students and a minimum of 1,000 hours for MSN-entry students. These programs require a total of 75 credits for the BSN pathway and 38 to 75 credits for the MSN pathway.
The psychiatric-mental health NP and adult-gerontology acute care NP programs both require 1,125 practicum hours and comprise 77 and 75 total credits, respectively. The pediatric nurse practitioner track requires 1,125 practicum hours and comprises 75 credits for the primary care concentration and an additional 600 practicum hours for students who pursue the acute care concentration, which adds 14 credits to the program.
- DNP Nurse-Midwifery: The nurse-midwifery curriculum centers on women’s health across the lifespan, with core courses in professional issues and history of nurse midwives and clinical epidemiology. Clinical preparation is delivered through a sequence of supervised practicums. These include advanced practice FNP I & NM I primary care practicum; advanced health assessment; nurse midwifery III (care of the childbearing family); nurse midwifery IV (high-risk family); nurse midwifery II (women’s health); and an advanced practice nurse-midwifery residency.
- DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): The FNP track emphasizes population health, leadership, and evidence-based practice through courses such as transforming health care organizations and changing outcomes; family healthcare management II; servant leadership; scientific inquiry; and advanced health assessment/promotion/disease prevention. Required clinical experiences include advanced health assessment; a domestic low-resource or FNP international clinical; advanced practice FNP I & NM I primary care practicum; FNP residency; advanced practice nursing residency; and advanced family practice II.
- DNP Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP): The PMHNP program builds expertise in mental health assessment, pharmacotherapy, and complex case management. Didactic coursework covers psychopathology; psychopharmacology and neurobiology; theoretical, conceptual, and clinical models of mental health care; and three sequential management courses spanning the life span. Clinical training is integrated through practicum components for Management I, II, and III, followed by a psychiatric mental health residency and two APN residency experiences.
- DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP (AGACNP): The AGACNP curriculum prepares students for acute and critical care of adults and older adults through diagnostic reasoning; gerontology considerations for APRN practice; and three management courses focused on common problems, chronic problems, and acute/critical care problems. Each management course includes a practicum (150 hours for I and II; 225 hours for III), complemented by dedicated clinical blocks: AGACNP I, II, and III practicums, plus an AGACNP residency and an APN residency.
- DNP Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP): The NNP track focuses on high-risk and critically ill newborns and infants. Core courses include embryology and developmental physiology; advanced neonatal nursing management (high-risk & critically ill newborns/infants); post-NICU graduate; advanced newborn/infant pharmacotherapeutics; and clinical genetics in practice. Clinical requirements comprise advanced assessment of the newborn/infant practicum; advanced neonatal nursing practicum I and II, an NNP residency, and an advanced practice nursing residency.
- DNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): The PNP program offers two program tracks: pediatric primary care nurse practitioner (PNP-PC) and dual pediatric primary/acute care nurse practitioner (PNP-PC/AC).
- PNP Primary Care Specialty Courses: Advanced pediatric health care management I: primary care and corresponding practicum; PNP primary care residency; advanced practice nursing residency; genomics in the pediatric setting; advanced pediatric health care management II: acute and common health; needs advanced pediatric health care management II: practicum; advanced pediatric health care management III: chronic health needs and corresponding practicum
- Dual PNP Primary/Acute Care Specialty Courses: All PNP primary care specialty courses plus pediatric acute care nurse practitioner I-II and corresponding practicums
Online Experience: Baylor University delivers courses through the Canvas online Learning Management System (LMS). Courses may include asynchronous and live, synchronous components. Discussion boards and online chats may be utilized during courses.
Online DNP students are paired with a Student Success Coach who can help ensure nursing students access needed resources. The Coach assists with orientation, academic advising, and course progress monitoring.
Baylor University also offers clinical placement support, working with nursing students to locate and secure sites and preceptors for clinical practicums and residencies. Other services may include career counseling, library services, and access to faculty through online office hours.
On-Site Requirements: Some campus visits are required for the DNP programs. The coursework is primarily online; however, some on-campus immersions may be required throughout the program. Interested parties should contact the Louise Herrington School of Nursing for current information about on-site requirements.
Paying for the Baylor University Online DNP Programs
This university’s online program tuition costs are listed in the tables below. Interested students should contact the admissions department for cost clarifications and updates. Students can also contact the Louise Herrington School of Nursing for up-to-date tuition information, as costs typically change each year.
Tuition funding options vary and may include unsubsidized federal student loans secured through approval by applying through the FAFSA. As well, many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs or tuition discounts. Finally, graduate students may choose to secure private loans or seek community and organizational scholarships or grants.
Baylor University offers several NP and Nurse-Midwifery DNP programs with a focus on servant leadership to under-served and global communities.
BSN to DNP – Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Nurse-Midwifery
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Pediatric Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
BSN to DNP – Psychiatric Mental Health Practitioner
1311 S 5th Street
Waco, Texas 76706
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
AGNP – Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
January, May, August
No
2-3
75
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DE, LA, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
75
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
FNP – Family Nurse Practitioner
January, May, August
No
3
75
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DE, LA, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
75
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
NNP – Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
January, May, August
No
2-3
75
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DE, LA, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
75
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
NM – Nurse-Midwife
January, May, August
No
2-3
75
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DE, LA, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, SD, TN, WA, WY
Program Tuition
75
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
January, May, August
No
3
75
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DE, LA, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
75
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
$1,250.00
$93,750.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PNP – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
January, May, August
No
3
89
1,725
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, DE, LA, MN, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
89
$1,250.00
$111,250.00
$1,250.00
$111,250.00
Program Essentials
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
PMHNP – Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
January, May, August
No
3
77
1,125
CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Program Admissions
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
No GRE Required
3.0 or higher
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, DE, LA, MN, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, PR, RI, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY
Program Tuition
77
$1,250.00
$96,250.00
$1,250.00
$96,250.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Sara Navratil
WriterSara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She’s the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online NP programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.